Healthy Homes Assessment Waiohiki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Waiohiki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Waiohiki, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Waiohiki rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Waiohiki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Waiohiki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiohiki

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Waiohiki

Rental properties in Waiohiki should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Waiohiki

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Waiohiki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Waiohiki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiohiki

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Waiohiki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiohiki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.